US President Donald Trump lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he is "smart" and expressed optimism about tariff talks between India and America.
Talking about Modi's recent US visit, Trump said, "We have always been very good friends... He is a very smart man and a great friend of mine. We had very good talks."
However, he said India is one of the highest tariffing nations in the world. "I think it's going to work out well between India and our country. And I want to say you have a great prime minister," said the Republican leader.
Earlier, the president said that the only problem he has with India is the high tariff they are charging. "I believe they're probably going to lower those tariffs substantially, but on April 2, we will be charging them the same tariffs they charge us," he said.
Two days ago, Trump had declared a 25 per cent blanket tariff on all imported vehicles.
In February, the US president said the country will impose reciprocal tariffs. "They charge us, we charge them. Whatever, a company, or a country such as India or China, charges, we want to be fair, hence, reciprocal," he said.
Another contentious issue between the two countries in illegal migration. The US had deported several hundreds of Indians who entered the country illegally, casting shadow on the bonhomie between the two nations.
Earlier this week, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) alleged that India has seen a rise in attacks on minorities and recommended designating India as 'country of particular concern'. The panel also accused the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of being involved in assassination plots against Khalistani separatists and has sought to impose sanctions on the Indian spy agency.
The Minister of External Affairs, in response, called the USCIRF report "biased and politically motivated", saying it reflects a deliberate agenda rathen than a genuine concern.